CN100354966C

CN100354966C - Data copying managing method and device, and copy managing system

Info

Publication number: CN100354966C
Application number: CNB018064477A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斋藤裕士
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2001-01-12
Filing date: 2001-12-28
Publication date: 2007-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-28
Also published as: KR20020079899A; EP1351237A1; US7050368B2; KR100838995B1; US20030123347A1; CN1416571A; JPWO2002056312A1; EP1351237A4; JP4078979B2; WO2002056312A1

Abstract

A system for managing the number of copies of digital data even when there are used a variety of recording media which can be repeatedly recorded. The description of the value of second of the recording time at which data is recorded in Sector 2 of a UTOC of a minidisk loaded in an MD block (1) in the case of a conventional copying path through which audio data is copied from a CD block (4) is different from that in the case of the novel copying path through which audio data is copied from a hard disk (3) through a host controller (2). The recording time the description of which is different with the copying paths and the identification information of the audio data are managed by the host controller (2) to manage the number of copies of the audio data.

Description

Data copy management method and apparatus, and copy management system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a copy management method, a copy management system, a recording apparatus, and a copy management apparatus for recording main information such as audio data on a small magneto-optical disk called a Mini Disk (MD).

Background

To date, it has been practiced to interconnect a reproducing apparatus for a Compact Disc (CD), a recording medium that holds digital audio data recorded thereon, and a recording apparatus for a Mini Disc (MD), a recording medium that allows data to be recorded many times, and to copy the digital audio data recorded on the compact disc onto the mini disc for personal use.

Recently, as the use of personal computers has become more widespread, music distribution services on the internet have also become popular, making it possible for people at home to obtain target digital audio data distributed on the internet using personal computers.

The digital audio data distributed over the internet may be stored in, for example, a hard disk of a personal computer so as to be reproduced with the personal computer. It is also possible to copy (transcribe or copy) digital audio data onto an external memory, called a memory card, employing a semiconductor device, or an external storage medium such as a mini disc, so as to reproduce and use it by a memory card player or an MD player.

It should be noted that it is very easy to store a large amount of audio data in a hard disk of a personal computer, or to copy (copy) digital audio data onto an external storage medium such as a memory card. Therefore, there is a fear that digital audio data loaded from an optical disk into a personal computer, or audio data distributed over, for example, the internet and loaded into a personal computer, is repeatedly copied without permission, thereby illegally compromising the interests of copyright holders of the digital audio data.

Therefore, in order to develop a unified system of copyright protection technology that can be globally used, a forum called SDMI (Secure Digital Music Initiative) has been organized by 130 commercial establishments and organizations from the business circles of records, computers, and home appliances, with the purpose of establishing a system for preventing illegal use of Music files (Digital audio data) and promoting legal Music distribution services.

Among copyright protection techniques developed under this SDMI standard, there is a system that limits or supervises the number of audio data copies. An example of an application of such a system is shown in fig. 1. Referring to fig. 1, digital audio data from a CD player 100 or over the internet 300 is supplied to a personal computer 200 to be loaded into its built-in hard disk.

When the digital audio data thus loaded into the personal computer 200 is copied onto a so-called memory card, the number of copies of the digital audio data is limited to 3 or less on the personal computer 200. Fig. 1 shows a case where the same digital audio data is copied from the personal computer 200 onto each of the 3 memory cards 301 to 303.

Each of the memory cards 301 to 303 is a new storage medium which has recently become popular. Each of the memory cards possesses a medium identification ID (medium identification information) unique to each memory card. From the memory card to which the digital audio data is output, the medium identification ID of the memory card is supplied to the personal computer 200, and management can be performed as to which memory card the digital audio data has been output to based on this medium identification ID.

If digital audio data has been deleted as it returns to the personal computer 200 in the memory card to which it is supplied from the personal computer and which has stored the digital audio data, the number of memory cards to which the digital audio data has been copied is reduced by one, thereby allowing the digital audio data to be copied to a new memory card.

In such a system, which is built in accordance with the SDMI standard, and which imposes a limit on the number of copies allowed of digital audio data, a maximum of 3 copies of digital audio data are allowed to be loaded into the personal computer 200. If the digital audio data as a copy is deleted as it is returned to the personal computer 200, the number of copies is reduced, thereby allowing copying to fill this gap.

Although the number of copies is limited, an individual is allowed to use the copies as usual, and thus the convenience of the user in using the digital audio data is not impaired while the digital audio data is prohibited from being copied in large quantities without permission to prevent the interests of copyright holders of the digital audio data from being illegally infringed.

Meanwhile, in such a system that limits the number of copies of digital audio data, the output of digital audio data from the personal computer 200 to the memory card is called check-out, and the deletion of digital audio data from the memory card that has undergone the check of digital audio data to the personal computer 200 that is the source of the digital audio data in such a manner that the data is returned to the personal computer is called login (check-in).

This system for limiting the number of copies of digital audio data belongs to one of copyright protection technologies applicable to the case where a so-called memory card possessing a medium identification ID is used as a storage medium, and it cannot be applied to the case where a small-sized disc that is now widely used is used. That is, the mini discs are not provided with a media identification ID specific to each mini disc.

Compact discs are widely used as recording media so that digital audio data from, for example, a CD player can be recorded on the compact discs using a compact disc recorder. Therefore, in the case of audio data recorded on a small disc, it is necessary to distinguish a small disc recorded through a conventional channel not managed by the number of copies from a small disc recorded through a new channel of a check-in system managed by the number of copies.

If the copyright protection technique of the SDMI system, which manages the number of permitted copies of the digital audio data as described above, cannot be applied to a case of using a recording medium such as a mini disc which is now widely used, it is impossible to prevent unauthorized copying of the digital audio data to prevent the profit of the part of the copyright holder of the digital audio data from being illegally infringed. Therefore, there is an urgent need for making the copyright protection technology of the SDMI system, which manages the number of allowable copies of digital audio data as described above, applicable to small discs that are currently in widespread use.

On the other hand, digital audio data stored on a hard disk or on a memory card is encrypted in a predetermined manner while being automatically compressed by a technique exemplified by ATRAC3 (adaptive transform acoustic coding).

Further, the conventional small disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus fails to solve the encryption technique while solving the automatic compression technique.

Therefore, it is impossible to distinguish whether the compressed digital audio signal recorded on the compact disc is from the internet or a hard disk or directly from the output of the CD player by means of the compact disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and thus, the source channel must be supervised from the viewpoint of copyright management.

If it is impossible to distinguish in a compact disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus whether a compressed digital audio signal recorded on a compact disc is a compressed and encrypted digital audio signal for which the number of allowed copies should be managed or a compressed and unencrypted digital audio signal for which the number of allowed copies is not necessarily managed, confusion such as erroneously applying login/verification to a compressed unencrypted digital audio signal copied directly from a CD player may be caused.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a copy management method, a copy management system, a recording apparatus, and a copy management apparatus that can supervise the number of copies of digital data even if a variable recording medium is used.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above object, the present invention provides a copy management method of copying main information onto a recording medium having a main information area and a management area, the main information being recorded in the main information area, and management information relating to each item of the main information recorded in the main information area being recorded in the management area, wherein the main information can be copied onto the recording medium through one of a first route for copying the main information without copy number management and a second route for copying the main information with copy number management. The representation of a part of the management information related to the main information copied to the recording medium through the first route is different from the representation of a part of the management information related to the main information copied to the recording medium through the second route. In the case where the main information is copied to the recording medium through the second route, at least a part of the management information is stored and saved as copy residual information (copy information).

With the copy management method of the present invention, the representation of a part of the management information recorded in the management area of the recording medium in association with the main information can distinguish a case where the main information is recorded on the recording medium through the first route from a case where the main information is recorded on the recording medium through the second route. A part of management information indicating that it differs depending on a copy route is stored on a copy management apparatus part (main controller) or an apparatus part outputting main data as copy residual information. In this way, it is possible to clearly distinguish whether the main information recorded on the recording medium is recorded by the first route in which the copy number of the main information is not managed or is recorded by the second route in which the copy number of the main information is managed, based on a part of the management information indicating the difference between the copy routes.

If the main information is recorded through the second route and deleted as returned to the source device, it is checked whether the main information is the main information supplied from the source device based on the representation of a part of the management information of the recording area which differs depending on the duplication route and based on the duplication residual information. If the primary information deleted from the recording apparatus is found to be primary information from the source apparatus, the possible number of copies of the primary information portion deleted from the recording medium is returned to the source apparatus so that the primary information can be further copied from the supplying apparatus.

That is, the system for supervising the number of copies of audio data, which is a system of copyright protection technology established in accordance with the SDMI standard, can be applied to the case of using, for example, a small disc having a main information area and a management information area as a recording medium.

In the copy management method of the present invention, it is indicated that a part of the management information to be distinguished is time information related to a time at which the main information is recorded on the recording medium, so as to distinguish the time at which the main information is recorded on the recording medium as the recording time information between a case where the main information is recorded through the first route and a case where the main information is recorded through the second route. In this way, it is possible to clearly distinguish whether the main information is recorded through the first route or the second route, using the recording time information recorded in the management area of the recording medium in association with the main information when the main information is recorded on the recording medium. Furthermore, from the representation of the recording time information, it can be determined whether the recording medium concerned is a recording medium to which the main information is supplied from a preset supply source.

It means that a part of the management information to be distinguished may be a device identifier of a recording device used in recording the main information in the recording medium. That is, the device identifier of the recording device used in recording the main information in the recording medium can distinguish the case where the main information is recorded on the recording medium through the first route from the case where the main information is recorded on the recording medium through the second route. Therefore, even if the main information is recorded with the same recording apparatus, it is possible to clearly determine whether the main information is recorded through the first route or the second route by means of the apparatus identifier recorded in the management area of the recording medium in the course of recording the main information on the recording medium. Further, from the description of the device identifier, it can be determined whether the recording medium concerned is a recording medium to which main information from a preset supply source is supplied.

In the copy management method of the present invention, one of an even number and an odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of time information associated with main information recorded on a recording medium through a first route, and the other of the even number and the odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of time information associated with main information recorded on the recording medium through a second route, so as to distinguish the representation of the time information.

By means of this copy management method, the predetermined bit of the recording time information related to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route must be an even number, and the predetermined bit of the recording time information related to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route must be an odd number. Alternatively, the predetermined bit of the recording time information related to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route must be an odd number, and the predetermined bit of the recording time information related to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route must be an even number.

In this way, whether the main information is recorded through the first route or the second route can be clearly determined based on whether the recording time information recorded in the management area of the recording medium, which is associated with the main information when the main information is recorded on the recording medium, is odd or even.

In addition, by means of the copy management method of the present invention, a predetermined fixed value is assigned to a predetermined bit of time information associated with main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route, and a fixed value other than the preset fixed value is assigned to a predetermined bit of time information associated with main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route, so as to distinguish the representation of the time information. With this copy management method, a predetermined bit of the recording time information related to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route is necessarily 0 (zero), and a predetermined bit of the recording time information related to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route is necessarily a non-0 (zero) value.

In this way, using the recording time information recorded in the management area of the recording medium in association with the main information recorded on the recording medium, it is possible to clearly determine whether the main information is recorded through the first route or the second route.

Further, by means of the copy management method of the present invention, the copy residual information includes not only the time information but also the device identifier of the device that has made the copy, wherein the device identifier is contained in the management information. With this copy management method, the device identifier of the device that has made the copy is contained in the copy residual information as management information recorded in the management area.

In this way, from the time information, it can be determined whether the main information recorded on the recording medium is information recorded through the first route or information recorded through the second route, and from the device identifier included in the management information and from the device identifier of the copy residual information, it can be determined whether the main information recorded on the recording medium was transmitted from a specific supply source.

The present invention also provides a copy management system comprising: a recording device for copying the main information onto a recording medium having a main information area and a management area, recording the main information in the main information area, and recording management information associated with each item of the main information recorded in the main information area in the management area; and a management device for controlling and supervising the copying of the recording device, wherein the recording device includes a first route for copying the main information without performing copy number management; a second route for copying the main information with copy number management; and a management information recording device for recording the management information in a management area of the recording medium. The representation of the part of the management information can distinguish a case where the main information is copied through the first route from a case where the main information is copied through the second route. The management apparatus includes copy-remaining information storage means for storing and saving at least a part of the management information recorded in the management area in a case where the main information is copied to the recording medium through the second route.

The present invention also provides a copy management apparatus including: first input means for receiving an encrypted first digital signal; second input means for receiving an unencrypted second digital signal; decoding means for decrypting the first digital signal transmitted from the first input means; switching means for selecting either the first digital signal decoded by the decoding means or the second digital signal transmitted from the second input means; and recording means for recording the digital signal selected by the switching means in a main information recording area on the recording medium, and for recording an identifier for distinguishing whether the digital signal recorded in the main information recording area is the first digital signal or the second digital signal in a management area on the recording medium.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the embodiments of the present invention as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system for controlling the number of possible copies;

fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an audio recording and/or reproducing system to which an embodiment of a copy management system according to the present invention is applied;

fig. 3 shows an exterior of the audio recording and/or reproducing system shown in fig. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the MD module shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 5 shows a UTOC sector 0 recorded on a mini disc;

fig. 6 shows a UTOC sector 1 recorded on a mini disc;

fig. 7 shows a UTOC sector 2 recorded on a mini disc;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the master controller shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 9 shows files created and managed in the hard disk of the hard disk device;

FIG. 10 shows a checklist file;

fig. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing a general recording operation performed in the audio recording and/or reproducing system shown in fig. 2;

fig. 13A and 13B are flowcharts showing a recording operation performed in a verify manner in the audio recording and/or reproducing system shown in fig. 2;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are continuation of the flow diagrams of FIGS. 13A and 13B, respectively;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are continuation of the flow diagrams of FIGS. 14A and 14B, respectively; and

fig. 16A and 16B are flowcharts showing a recording operation in a login manner in the audio recording and/or reproducing system shown in fig. 2.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

Preferred embodiments of a copy management method, a copy management system, a recording apparatus, and a copy management apparatus according to the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is directed to a case where the copy management method, the copy management system, the recording apparatus, and the copy management apparatus according to the present invention are applied to an audio recording and/or reproducing system in which audio data is handled as main information.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of an audio recording and/or reproducing system to which the copy management method and system according to the present invention are applied, and fig. 3 shows the appearance of the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment.

Referring to fig. 2, the audio recording and/or reproducing unit according to the present invention includes an MD module 1, a main controller 2, a hard disk device 3, and a CD module 4, wherein the MD module 1 has a function of a recording and/or reproducing device for a Mini Disk (MD), and the CD module 4 has a function of a reproducing device for a Compact Disk (CD).

The audio recording and/or reproducing system shown in fig. 2 has a so-called still mode as shown in fig. 3, and may include, for example, the MD module 1, the main controller 2, and the CD module 4 stacked together. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the hard disk device 3 is housed in the main controller 2. To connect with these speakers SP1 and SP2, the main controller 2 is provided with connection terminals for the speakers SP1 and SP 2.

Referring to fig. 2, the MD module 1 and the main controller 2 are interconnected via a data transmission channel 5 and a system-to-system communication channel 6. The data transmission channel 5 is used for synchronous serial transmission, and is capable of reversibly transmitting data (audio data) by changing the transmission direction. The system-to-system communication channel 6 is used for reversible command transmission between the MD module 1 and the master controller 2.

The data transmission channel 5 and the system-to-system communication channel 6 may be a single common line such as IEEE1394 or USB (universal serial bus).

The main controller 2 and the hard disk device 3 are interconnected via a system bus 7. On this system bus 7, reversible transfer of commands and data can be performed between the main controller 2 and the controller of the hard disk device 3. The data recorded on the hard disk device 3 is managed by a file system such as FAT32 (file allocation table 32).

The CD module 4 is connected to the MD module 1 via a data transmission channel 8, and at the same time, is connected to the main controller 2 via a data transmission channel 9 and a system-to-system transmission channel 10. The data transmission channel 8 is used for transmitting audio data from the CD module 4 to the MD module 1, and may be, for example, an optical cable complying with IEC958 (international electrotechnical commission) standard.

The data transmission channel 9 is used to transmit audio data from the CD module 1 to the main controller 2. This enables the CD module 4 to transmit audio data to the hard disk device 3 via the data transmission channel 9 and through the main controller 2. The system-to-system communication channel 10 is used to reversibly transmit commands between the CD module 4 and the host controller 2.

The data transmission channel 9 and the system-to-system communication channel 10 may be separate common lines like IEEE1394 or USB.

The main controller 2 capable of controlling the respective blocks constituting the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment functions as a so-called audio amplifier, and supplies audio data from the MD block 1, the hard disk device 3, and the CD block 4 thereto, forms an audio signal for output from the audio data, adjusts the sound quality and volume of the audio signal, and outputs the thus adjusted audio signal to the speakers SP1 and SP 2.

The encrypted compressed audio data stored in the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 is supplied to the MD module 1 by the main controller 2, and the encrypted compressed audio data is recorded on the mini disk loaded in the MD module 1 by copying as decrypted compressed audio data. It is also possible to supply the unencrypted PCM audio data from the CD module 4 to the MD module 1, and record the unencrypted PCM audio data on a small disc loaded in the MD module 1 by copying as compressed audio data.

On the hard disk device 3, audio data from the MD module 1 or audio data from the CD module 4 can be recorded by the main controller 2. Although not shown, for example, a personal computer may be connected to the main controller 2, and then audio data loaded into the personal computer via the internet is supplied to the main controller 2 to be recorded in the hard disk of the hard disk device 3.

Therefore, in the audio recording and/or reproducing unit according to the present invention, the hard disk device 3 can record audio data supplied from the MD module 1, the CD module 4, or an external device such as a personal computer on its own hard disk, and manage the data in cooperation with the main controller 2 in a manner to be described later.

Further, by means of the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present invention, the MD module 1 compresses the encrypted compressed audio data supplied from the hard disk device 3 through the main controller 2, or the PCM audio data supplied from the CD module 4, so as to copy the resulting data onto the small disk loaded thereon.

In this case, the channel on which the MD module 1 copies the audio data from the CD module 4 to the mini disc loaded thereon is the first channel represented by a conventional optical cable complying with, for example, the IEC958 standard, so that copying for personal use can be performed as is conventional. The non-encrypted compressed digital audio signal is transmitted over a first channel represented by an optical cable compliant with the IEC958 standard.

The channel in which the MD module 1 copies the audio data supplied from the hard disk device 3 via the main controller 2 to the mini disk loaded thereon is, for example, a second channel or a new channel represented by IEEE1394 or UBS. In this audio recording and/or reproducing system, if audio data is to be copied via the second channel, the MD module 1 and the main controller 2 cooperate with each other to manage (limit) the number of copies of audio data stored in the hard disk device 3 that are copied onto the mini disk. The encrypted compressed digital audio signal is transmitted over a first channel represented by IEEE1394 or UBS.

That is, in copying the audio data from the hard disk device 3 to the MD module 1, a system for managing (limiting) the number of audio data copies, which is a system of copyright protection technology established in accordance with the SDMI standard, is applied. As described above, the copyright protection system for managing the number of copies of audio data, which is established in accordance with the SDMI standard, is completed by the check-and-log operation.

The verification operation in the present embodiment is an operation of supplying audio data stored in the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 to the MD module 1 through the main controller 2 to copy the data into a small disk loaded on the MD module 1. Meanwhile, the number of copies of audio data on the small disc is managed by the main controller 2.

That is, the main controller 2 manages which audio data has been output to which mini disc, and, as will be described later, only allows making up to 3 copies of such audio data. Although it is possible to control so that the verified audio data cannot be reproduced on the originating device, the present embodiment is directed to only the case where the number of copies is limited, as an example.

The login operation in the present embodiment is an operation of deleting the audio data supplied from the hard disk device 3 by the main controller 2 and copied on the mini disk from the mini disk as the data is returned to the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 by the main controller 2. Since the number of copies is reduced by deleting the audio data copied to the mini disc by checking, the audio data is allowed to be copied so as to fill this gap.

This imposes a constraint that when an audio data (a music piece) recorded on the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 is checked, the audio data cannot be reproduced, or the number of possible checks of the audio data is reduced, so that after a predetermined number of checks, the checks are no longer permitted.

By registering the audio data as described above, the constraint on the audio data is released. It should be noted that the login operation can be performed only for audio data related to the verification in the mini disc. That is, only the MD module 1 can check the audio data copied to the mini disc by the main controller 2 to log in to the hard disc device 3 through the main controller 2.

Therefore, as described above, and as will be described later in more detail, in the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment, it is possible to distinguish the audio data recorded on the compact disc as to whether or not these audio data are verified, i.e., whether or not they are copied via the second channel, and at the same time, the main controller 2 can manage information relating to the verified audio data so as to perform a login operation.

[ MD Module 1]

The MD module 1 of the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment is explained from now on. Fig. 4 shows the MD module 1 of the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment in the form of a block diagram. In fig. 4, 111 denotes a small disc. The small disc 111 is formed by housing a disc 111B having a diameter of 64mm in a disc case 111A. Any of three types, i.e., a compact disc only, a recordable magneto-optical disc, or a hybrid disc in which a play-only area and a recordable area exist, can be used as such a small disc 111.

The spindle motor 112 rotates the disk 111B of the small disk 111. The mini disc 111 is provided with a shutter that is opened when the mini disc 111 is loaded. If the recording and/or reproducing apparatus is designed for recordable magneto-optical disks, the recording head 113 is installed to face the upper side of the disk 111B, and the optical head 114 is installed to face the lower side of the disk 111B.

When the reproducing apparatus is designed for playing only a disc, the head 113 is not provided, and the head 114 is provided on the lower side of the disc 111B. The MD module 1 shown in fig. 3 functions as a recording and/or reproducing device capable of using a recordable magneto-optical disk (mini disk).

The servo control circuit 115 controls the rotation of the spindle motor 112. A feed motor (sled motor) 116 controls the movement of the optical head 114 in the radial direction of the disk 111B. The servo control circuit 115 performs focus control and tracking control based on a focus error signal and a tracking error signal from an RF (radio frequency) amplifier 129.

The system controller 150 manages the overall operation of the MD module 1. The system controller 150 is supplied with an input from a keyboard operation unit 152, and the keyboard operation unit 152 includes a power key, an eject key, a playback key, a pause key, a stop key, a selection key, and a record key. The input is also implemented by a remote control receiving unit not shown. The commands implemented by the remote controller include a power command, an eject command, a playback command, a pause command, a stop command, a selection command (track designation and reproduction command), and a recording command.

The display unit 151 includes, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display). On the display surface of the display unit 151, time information such as the total playing time of the loaded compact disc, the elapsed time from the beginning of a piece of music being played, the remaining playing time of the piece of music being played, or the remaining playing time of the entire disc, or the track number of the piece of music being played is displayed. In a disc in which a disc name or a track name is recorded, the disc name or the track name is presented. Further, if the recording time and date (recording time point) of the disc or the music piece is recorded, the recording time and date is displayed.

First, the recording process is explained. Referring to fig. 4, the MD module 1 is provided with two inputs, one of which is a digital input 121 and the other of which is an analog input 134. Digital audio data from, for example, a digital output of CD module 4 is sent via digital input 121 to digital audio interface 122.

The digital audio interface 122 is constituted by an optical cable compliant with IEC958 format for transmitting linear PCM digital audio data output from the digital output terminal of the CD module 4 and sampled at 44.1kHz with the number of quantization bits equal to 16.

The digital audio interface 122 separates the linear PCM digital audio data supplied thereto into audio data and other information. Other information includes information called Cbit and Ubit and is read by the system controller 150. The separated audio data is sent to the voice compression encoder/decoder 123 to be encoded into a compressed digital audio signal.

The analog output from the CD module 4 and the analog audio signal from the tuner of the radio receiver or the cassette tape recorder are sent to the a/D converter 133 through the analog audio input 134. The a/D converter 133 converts the analog audio signal supplied thereto into digital data at a sampling frequency of 44.1kHz and with a quantization bit number of 16. The quantized audio data is input to the speech compression encoder/decoder 123.

The voice compression encoder/decoder 123 compresses the audio data supplied thereto into a data amount of about 1/5. The compression technique for audio signals may be exemplified by ATRAC (adaptive transform acoustic coding) to which DCT (discrete cosine transform) is applied and ATRAC3 in which the compression factor is high. Meanwhile, ATRAC and ATRAC3 are voice compression technologies developed by the assignee SONY CORPORATION (SONY CORPORATION).

The audio data compressed in the voice compression encoder/decoder 123 is temporarily stored in a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) 125 through a memory controller 124, wherein the DRAM125 has a data capacity of not less than one cluster (16 megabits in the present example). The output of this DRAM125 is sent to the encoder/decoder 126 for EFM and CIRC.

It should be noted that EFM is an acronym for 8 to 14 modulation (8.14 modulation), and CIRC is an acronym for interleaved Reed Solomon code (cross interleaved Reed Solomon code) as an error correcting code.

The encoder/decoder 126 of EFM and CIRC attaches an error correction code (here, CIRC) to the audio data output from the DRAM125, and modulates the audio data containing the error correction code attached thereto with EFM (8.14 modulation).

The audio data for recording thus formed is sent to the recording head 113 through the head drive circuit 127. A magnetic field modulated with recording data is applied to a disc 111B (magneto-optical disc) of the small disc 111. The light beam from the optical head 114 is irradiated onto the disk 111B of the compact disk 111. Thus, data is recorded on the disk 111B of the small disk 111 by the magneto-optical means.

Meanwhile, data recording is in units of clusters. A cluster consisting of 36 sectors, where each sector corresponding to a subcode block of the disc is 5.5 sound groups. In a practical cluster, 32 sectors are active sectors. The remaining 4 sectors are used as linking areas to match the timing with the rise of the magnetic field of the head at the start of recording or with the control of the laser power.

The position on the disc 111B during recording is specified by an address recorded as a wobble in a groove formed along a track on the disc 111B. This address is detected by the address decoder 128. The address detected by the address decoder 128 is sent to the encoder/decoder 126 operating under EFM and CIRC. During recording, information is written in the UTOC to be described later.

The playback processing is explained below. At the time of playback, a light beam is made to irradiate the disk 111B rotating together with the motor 112 through the optical head 114. The reflected light of the light beam from the disk 111B is received by a light receiving unit (photodetector) provided on the optical head 114, and converted into an electric signal supplied to the RF amplifier 129.

In the present embodiment, the RF amplifier 129 includes a playback RF signal forming unit, a focus error signal forming unit, a tracking error signal forming unit, and the like. The playback RF signal formed by the RF signal forming unit of the RF amplifier 129 is sent to the encoder/decoder 126 operating under EFM and CIRC.

The focus error signal formed by the focus error signal forming unit of the RF amplifier 129 and the tracking error signal formed by the tracking error signal forming unit are sent to the servo control circuit 115 to be used for focus control and tracking control of the servo control circuit 115 as described above.

The EFM demodulates the playback RF signal (audio data) supplied from the RF amplifier 129 while the encoder/decoder 126 operating under the EFM and the CIRC performs error correction processing. Audio data demodulated and error-corrected by the encoder/decoder 126 operating under EFM and CIRC is temporarily stored in the DRAM125 by the memory controller 124. The output of the DRAM125 is sent to the speech compression encoder/decoder 123.

Meanwhile, the time required to read data into DRAM125 to reach the entire capacity is about 12 seconds, which corresponds to about 50 seconds of audio data for the playback time. That is, if data is stored in the DRAM125 to the entire capacity and signals cannot be read out from the disc 111B any more, the reproduced signal can be continuously output for about 50 seconds. During such a time, the light beam from the optical head 114 is irradiated to the original position to be newly accessed, so that the signal readout for preventing the occurrence of sound leakage is newly realized.

The voice compression encoder/decoder 123 performs compression expansion on the compressed audio data from the DRAM 125. The audio data decompressed by the voice compression encoder/decoder 123 is sent to the D/a converter 135 to be converted back into an analog signal.

These analog audio signals are output from the analog output 130. The system controller 150 can read out the volume data at such time. The volume data thus read out may be a peak between the time of the previous reading and the time of the current reading.

The memory controller 124 can input/output data to/from an external system through the external data input/output terminal 132 and the external data interface 131. Input data from the external data input/output terminal 132 is stored in the DRAM125 through the external data interface 131 and the memory controller 124.

In turn, data on DRAM125 may be output to external data input/output 132 through memory controller 124 and external data interface 131. The switching of the input/output operation is performed by the system controller 150.

Synchronization with an external system, such as the master controller 1, is achieved by communicating with the external system over a control communication channel 136. As can be seen from the interior of MD module 1, control communication channel 136 is the system-to-system communication channel 6 shown in fig. 2.

In the present embodiment, the main controller 2 is adapted to be connected with the external data input/output terminal 132. The compressed encrypted audio data can be transmitted/received between the MD module 1 and the hard disk device 3 via the main controller 2.

The compressed audio data can be supplied from the host controller or other external system to the disc 111B of the mini disc 111 through the external data interface 131 to be recorded thereon. The compressed encrypted audio data input from the external data input/output terminal 132 is decrypted by the encryption encoder/decoder 133 to be stored in the DRAM125 as compressed digital audio data.

If the system controller 150 has determined that a sufficient amount of digital audio data to be recorded on the disk 111B has been stored in the DRAM125, the system controller 150 outputs the digital audio data, and records data such as audio data in the DRAM125 on the disk 111B through the encoder/decoder 126, the head drive circuit 127, and the head 113 operating under EFM and CIRC.

If the audio data from the external data input/output terminal 132 has the same form as the encoded data output from the voice compression encoder/decoder 123, the audio data is recorded as a music track. Registration is performed by UTOC as described later.

The TOC (table of contents) is provided in the innermost part of the disc 111B of the compact disc 111. In the TOC are written the start address and end address of each disc number, the track name as the name of this disc number, and the disc name as the name of the mini disc.

The disc 111B of the mini disc 111 is also provided with a UTOC (user TOC) for a user to manage recording of an audio disc. There are various kinds of UTOCs, such as sector 0, sector 1, and sector 2, depending on the actual application.

Therefore, there is encountered a case where the disc 111B of several small-sized discs 111 is provided with a main information area for recording main information, such as audio data, and a management area in which TOC or UTOC is recorded. With the MD module 1, at the time of copying audio data, a part of the management information of the UTOC corresponding to the copied audio data can distinguish a case of copying audio data through a first channel in which copy number management is not performed from a case of copying audio data through a second channel in which copy number management is performed.

In the present embodiment, the first channel is a channel interconnecting the CD module 1 and the MD module 1, and the MD module 1 copies the audio data from the CD module 4 onto the mini disc as above without the MD module 1 performing copy number management as described above. On the other hand, the second channel is a channel interconnecting the main controller 2 and the MD module 1, and in the case where the MD module 1 performs copy number management, the MD module 1 receives audio data from the hard disk device 3 through the main controller 2 on the top, and copies the audio data thus received onto a small disk.

The following specifically describes

sectors

0, 1, and 2 of the UTOC recorded on the disc 111B of the mini disc 111, and sets forth a part of the UTOC management information that can distinguish between the case where the MD module 1 reproduces audio data on the first channel and the case where the MD module 1 reproduces audio data on the second channel.

[ UTOC sector 0]

Fig. 5 shows the structure of sector 0 of the UTOC. The UTOC sector 0 is generally divided into a preamble header of 16 bytes and a data area of the next 2336 bytes. This UTOC sector 0 shows the recording status with respect to the disc (here, the disc 111B).

Therefore, when reproducing (recording) a music piece onto the disc 111B, the system controller 150 finds the empty area on the disc 111B from the information of the UTOC sector 0, and records audio data in the empty area thus found. At the time of playback, the system controller 150 discriminates the area in which audio data to be reproduced is recorded, and accesses this area to reproduce the target audio data from the thus found area.

The UTOC sector 0 will now be described in detail. In fig. 5, the

numbers

0, 1, 2, 3 on the left side indicate the positions of regions each 4 bytes long. In the 4-byte group indicated by the numeral '7' on the left side, the 1 st byte representing the manufacturer code and the 2 nd byte representing the model code record the manufacturer code of the manufacturer of the apparatus which records the UTOC and the model code of the specified apparatus type, respectively. This maker code and model code are designed to be recorded in the ROM (read only memory) in the system controller of each recording apparatus and each recording and/or reproducing apparatus, for example, from the beginning.

In the 2 nd byte p.ton1 of the 2 nd byte of the 4-byte set indicated by the numeral '12' on the left side in fig. 5, a pointer on the UTOC sector relating to the address at which the 1 st music starts is written. That is, if '1' has been input in p.ton1, the (76+1 × 2) × 4 th byte of sector 0 is used as the front write start and end addresses.

Since the (76+1 × 2) × 4 byte is the 78 × 4 byte, the address indicating the recording start position of the 1 st music piece is recorded from the front end of the position indicated by the left side number '78' in fig. 5. Ton2ff, the location of the nth music on the UTOC sector 0 of the recording start and end addresses on the disc 111B can be found by:

(76+(P.TON(n))*2)*4 (1)

in the above formula (1), the symbol '×' represents multiplication, and n is an integer not less than 1. Ton (n) denotes the value of the nth p.

Empty indicates a front-end fragment table on an unused fragment table (parts-table) in the UTOC sector, and p.4 bytes indicated by a numeral '11' on the left side in fig. 5. Meanwhile, the fragment table refers to an 8-byte area downstream of the left-hand number '78' in fig. 5 where the start and end addresses are recorded.

Fra indicates a vacant area on which data can be written on the disc 111B, and specifies the foremost one of the fragment table in which address data specifying the vacant area is recorded, of the 4-byte group indicated by the left numeral '12' in fig. 5.

If there is an empty area in the disc 111B where main data can be recorded, a value designating a fragment table is recorded in the p.fra. In the fragment table specified according to the value of p.fra, the start and end addresses of the empty area are recorded. If there are a plurality of empty areas, the segment table in which the start and end addresses of the next empty area have been recorded is specified by the link.p information of the segment table. In this way, the empty zones can be managed in sequence according to a so-called linking structure.

In fig. 5, the 3 rd byte 'p.dfa' of the 4-tuple designated by the left-hand numeral '11' is associated with a defective area of the disc 111B, and specifically indicates the foremost one of the fragment table in which address data designating the defective area is recorded.

Therefore, in the same manner as through the empty area of p.fra described above, if there is a defective area on the disc 111B, a number indicating a fragment table is recorded in the p.dfa, while the start and end addresses of the defective area are recorded in the fragment table specified by the numerical value of the p.dfa. When there are a plurality of defective areas, the segment table in which the start and end addresses of the next defective area have been recorded is specified by the link.p information of the segment table. That is, the defective area can be managed by a so-called linking structure.

The track pattern constituting the segment table is composed of 8 bits, in which bit d8, bit d7, bit d4, and bit d2, which are LSBs (least significant bits), are set to emphasize an on/off flag, a mono/stereo flag, an audio/non-audio flag, and a copy inhibition flag, respectively.

[ UTOC sector 1]

Fig. 6 shows the structure of sector 1 of the UTOC. The UTOC sector 1 is substantially divided into a preamble header of 16 bytes and a data area of the next 2336 bytes. This UTOC sector 1 holds information about disc names and track names in ASCII code. In fig. 6, the

numbers

0, 1, 2, 3 on the left side indicate the positions of regions each 4 bytes long.

In fig. 6, the 2 nd byte p.tna1 of the 4-tuple indicated by the left numeral '12' specifies the address on the UTOC sector 1 at which the track name of the 1 st musical composition is input. That is, if p.tna1 is 2, the track name of the 1 st music is input from the (76+2 × 2) × 4 th byte of the sector 1 as the front end. Since (76+2 × 2) × 4 ═ 80 × 4, the track name of the 1 st music piece is recorded from the tip of the position designated by the left side numeral '80' in fig. 6.

The same applies to p.tno2ff, and thus,

(76+(P.TNA(n))*2)*4 (2)

indicating the location on the UTOC sector 1 where the track name No. n is entered.

In the above formula (2), the symbol '×' represents multiplication, and n is an integer not less than 1. P.tna (n) denotes the value of the nth p.tna. Meanwhile, as shown in fig. 6, the disc name is recorded using the 76 × 4 th byte of the UTOC sector 1 as the front end.

[ UTOC sector 2]

Fig. 7 shows the structure of sector 2 of the UTOC. The UTOC sector 2 is generally divided into a preamble header of 16 bytes and a data area of the next 2336 bytes. In fig. 7, the

numbers

The UTOC sector 2 records a recording date and time of audio data recorded on the disc. In the related compact disc recorder, a recording date and time are automatically recorded simultaneously with the recording. In the present embodiment of the MD module 1, the recording date and time are provided by the timer circuit 153 shown in fig. 3. The timing circuit of the MD module 1 has a so-called calendar function, and is able to provide the current time, the day of the week, and the month and day of the year.

In fig. 7, the 2 nd byte p.trd1 of the 4-byte set indicated by the left numeral '12' specifies the head address on the UTOC sector 2 at which the recording date and time of the 1 st musical composition is input. That is, if p.tna1 is 3, the recording time and date of the 1 st music piece are input from the (76+3 × 2) × 4 th byte of the sector 2 as the front end. Since (76+3 × 2) × 4 ═ 82 × 4, the recording time and date of the 1 st music piece are recorded from the front end of the position designated by the left side numeral '82' in fig. 7.

The same applies to p.trd2ff, and thus,

(76+(P.TRD(n))*2)*4 (3)

indicating the location on the UTOC sector 2 where the nth recording time and date was entered.

In the above formula (3), the symbol '×' represents multiplication, and n is an integer not less than 1. P.trd (n) denotes the value of the nth p.trd. Meanwhile, the recording time and date of the disc are recorded using the 76 × 4 th byte of the UTOC sector 2 as the front end.

In addition, as shown in fig. 7, in the UTOC sector 2, codes (maker code and model code) that identify the maker and model of the device in which the track has been recorded are recorded. For example, if p.trd is 3, then a code (maker code) identifying a maker and a code (model code) identifying a model are recorded on (76+3 × 2) × 4+6 bytes and (76+3 × 2) × 4+7 bytes of the UTOC sector 2, respectively.

Meanwhile, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, information link.p is contained in the information of each track of the UTOC sectors 0 and 1. This link.p indicates in sector 0 which part on the compact disc the music is to be linked to, and in sector 1 which part on the compact disc the name of the music is to be linked to. Thus, it is possible to delete a musical composition later, combine two musical compositions into one, or increase the number of letters of the track name.

With the MD module 1, at the time of copying audio data, the representation of the recording time and date of the UTOC sector 2 can distinguish the case of copying audio data through the first channel where copy number management is not performed from the case of copying audio data through the second channel where copy number management is performed.

Specifically, if audio data is to be copied via a first channel in which copy number management is not performed, the second value of the recording time and date associated with the audio data is set to 0 (zero). If audio data is to be copied via the second channel for copy number management, the second value of the recording time and date associated with the audio data is set to the value associated with the copy number of the audio data. Therefore, if audio data is to be copied via the second channel, the number of seconds of the recording time and date of the audio data is set so that it is not 0 (zero).

Therefore, by confirming the second values of the recording time and date of the audio data recorded on the disk 111B of the small disk 111, it is possible to reliably distinguish whether the audio data is copied through the first route in which the copy number management is not performed, that is, the audio data is the audio data supplied from the CD module 4, or the audio data is copied through the second route in which the copy number management is performed, that is, the audio data is the audio data supplied from the hard disk device 3 through the main controller 2.

By using the manufacturer and model code of the audio data recorded on the UTOC sector 2, the main controller 2 can verify whether the recording medium is a recording medium on which the audio data supplied by the main controller 2 has been recorded, i.e., whether the audio data is audio data that has been verified by the main controller 2.

[ Main controller 2]

The main controller 2 responsible for management of the number of copies of audio data output from the hard disk device 3 to the MD module 1 for copying on the mini disk is explained below. Fig. 8 shows the main controller 2 of the present embodiment of the audio recording and/or reproducing system.

Referring to fig. 8, the main controller 2 includes an audio reproducing unit 211, a D/a converting circuit 212, an analog audio output terminal 213, a data compressing unit 214, an a/D converting unit 215, a digital audio interface 217, a digital audio output terminal 218, an external data interface 219, an external data input/output terminal 220, a communication interface 221, a control signal input/output terminal 222, and a controller 200.

The controller 200 controls each part of this main controller 2, and is a microcomputer composed of a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM (random access memory) 203, and an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable read only memory) 204 interconnected via a CPU (central processing unit) bus 205. Connected to the controller 200 are a keyboard operation unit 223, an LCD 224 as a display unit, and a timer circuit 225. Also connected to the controller 2 is a hard disk device 3 via a system bus 7.

In the ROM 202, various programs executed on the main controller 2 and data necessary for processing are recorded. The RAM 203 is used as a work area to temporarily store data in various processing operations.

The EEPROM 204 is a so-called nonvolatile memory from which data stored therein cannot be erased even if the main controller 2 is powered off. Therefore, various setting parameters are stored in this EEPROM.

The keyboard operation unit 223 is provided with various function keys, and accepts various command outputs from the user so as to inform the controller 200 of such intentions. The LCD 224 can exhibit various display information, and the timer circuit 225 has a so-called calendar function so that the timer circuit 225 can provide not only the current time but also a certain day of the month and a certain year.

In the present embodiment, the speakers SP1 and SP2 are connected to the analog audio output terminal 213. The compressed audio data read out from the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 is supplied to the audio reproduction unit 211 to compress and expand the audio data, and the pre-compressed audio data sent to the D/a conversion circuit 212 is restored.

The D/a conversion circuit 212 forms an analog audio signal from the digital audio data supplied thereto, and outputs the analog audio signal thus formed on an analog audio output terminal 213. The output analog audio signal is transmitted to the speakers SP1 and SP2, and the speakers SP1 and SP2 broadcast sounds corresponding to the analog audio signal.

Accordingly, the main controller 2 reads out target audio data from the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 in response to a command input by the user through the keyboard operation unit, and outputs the audio data thus read out through the audio reproduction unit 211, the D/a conversion circuit 212, and the analog audio output terminal 213. The output audio data is sent to the speakers SP1 and SP2 to provide sounds corresponding to the audio data from the hard disk device 3.

Analog audio signals from other devices, such as the CD module 4, are sent to the a/D conversion circuit 215 via the analog audio signal input 216. This a/D conversion circuit 215 converts the analog audio signal supplied thereto into digital audio data sent to the digital compression unit 214.

The digital compression unit 214 compresses the digital audio data supplied thereto in accordance with a predetermined compression system. The compressed digital audio data compressed in the data compression unit 214 is encrypted in the controller 200 and then supplied to the hard disk device 3 so as to be stored and saved in the horizontal direction of the hard disk device 3.

Thus, analog audio signals from the external device are supplied to the main controller 2, and the main controller 2 digitizes these signals. The main controller 2 also compresses and encrypts these signals for storage on the hard disk of the hard disk device 3.

In the main controller 2 shown in fig. 8, a digital audio device such as the CD module 4 is connected to the digital audio output terminal 218. PCM audio data from a digital audio device, for example, digital audio data having a sampling frequency of 44.1kHz and a quantization bit number of 16, is supplied to the main controller 2 through a digital audio output terminal 218 to capture data through a digital audio interface 217.

The digital audio data captured here may be sent directly to the hard disk device 3 and recorded on the hard disk device 3. In addition, the data may be compressed in the data compression unit 214 and encrypted by the controller 200, and then supplied to the hard disk device 3 and recorded on the hard disk device 3.

In the present embodiment, the data transmission channel 5 between the main controller 2 and the MD module 1 is connected to the external data input/output 220. Compressed between the hard disk device 3 and the MD module 1 according to the ATRAC system, and encrypted digital audio data can be transmitted/received through the external data input/output terminal 220 and the external data interface 219.

Connected to the input/output 222 are a system-to-system communication channel 6 between the main controller 2 and the MD module 1 and a system-to-system communication channel 10 between the main controller 2 and the CD module 4. Through the input/output 222 and the communication interface 221, command and control data can be exchanged with various devices, such as the MD module 1 or the CD module 4.

Thus, the main controller 2 transmits a control signal to the MD module 1 or the CD module 4 through the communication interface 221 and the external data input/output terminal 220 in response to a command input by the user through the keyboard operation unit 223, activates the MD module 1 or the CD module 4, receives audio data or an analog audio signal from the MD module 1 or the CD module 4, and records the thus supplied audio data or analog audio signal on the hard disk of the hard disk device 3.

The main controller 2 transmits a control signal to the MD module 1 through the communication interface 221 and the input/output terminal 222 in response to a command input by a user through the keyboard operation unit 223, sets the MD module 1 to a recording mode, transmits digital audio data read out from the hard disk device 3 to the MD module 1 through the external data interface 219 and the external data input/output terminal 220, and copies such digital audio data on a small disk loaded in the MD module 1.

When the digital audio data read out from the hard disk device 3 is copied on a small disk by the MD module 1, the main controller 2 manages the number of copies of the digital audio data in cooperation with the MD module 1, which will be described in more detail later.

If in the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment the audio data from the hard disk device 3 is to be copied by the main controller 2, the recording date and time (recording time) of the sector 2 of the UTOC corresponding to the audio data to be copied is represented in a manner different from that used in copying the audio data from the CD module 4, i.e., different from that in the case of copying through a conventional copy route.

In the present embodiment of the audio recording and/or reproducing system, as also mentioned earlier, the value of the second of the recording time must be set to zero if the audio data from the CD module 4 is to be copied, whereas the value of the second of the recording time must be set to a non-zero value if the audio data from the hard disk device 3 is to be copied.

On the system-to-system communication channel 6, the MD module 1 sends the recording time expressed in a different way, together with the model code and manufacturer code of the MD module 1 itself, to the main controller 2. Therefore, the main controller 2 stores and saves them as a check table (hysteresis of check) in order to perform copy number management of the digital audio data output from the main controller 2. In this case, the main controller 2 forms a check table on the hard disk of the hard disk device 3.

Fig. 9 shows a file directory structure to be constructed in the file system of the hard disk device 3. Referring to fig. 9, below the root directory (1), there is a HIFI directory (2) accommodating audio files. Below the HIFI directory (2), there are an audio data file (3), a check list file (4), and an album information directory (5). Under the album information directory (5), an album information file (6) exists.

The audio data file (3) is a file composed of audio data to which a title containing music information such as size, title, and the like is attached at its front end. As in the case of MD, the audio data is data encoded with ATRAC. The file name includes a number, here represented in hexadecimal. Each file is designed to have a unique number as the file name.

The album information file (6) is a management file that groups a plurality of audio data files (3). An album information file (6) is associated with a group, and the contents of the album information file (6) are information on the number of file names of audio data files (3) belonging to the same group. The file name of the album information file (6) includes a number, here a number in hexadecimal notation. Each file has a unique number as a file name.

The check table file (4) is a file in which audio data on the recording hard disk 2 has been copied onto the mini disk 111. The fetching of data from the hard disk device 3 onto the mini disk 111 of the MD module 1 is called verification. In other words, the verification refers to outputting the audio data recorded on the hard disk device 3 to the MD module 1 (recording device) for reproduction on a recording medium.

In the present embodiment, when audio data from the hard disk device 3 is copied for verification, the MD module 1 records one audio data file (3) of the hard disk device 3 as one track of the mini disk 111. When the audio data has been verified, the main controller 2 adds a record containing the following information to the verification table file (4) based on the information from the MD module 1 or from the information it owns as described above.

Fig. 10 shows data written in the check table file (chkout. lst) shown in fig. 9. At the time of verification, the main controller 2 writes the following data (i) to (iv) in the verification table file.

Namely, (i) information on the number of file names of the audio data files (3) to be checked; (ii) information on the number of file names of album information files (6) corresponding to the group to which the verified audio data file (3) belongs; (iii) information on a point of time recorded on sector 2 of the UTOC of the compact disc 111 at the time of the verification; and (iv) information on the manufacturer code and model code recorded on the UTOC sector 2 of the small disc 111 at the time of the verification.

In addition to the above information, other information may be added to the record, if necessary. Examples of such other information include: (a) information on the length of the track on the small disc 111 generated at the time of the inspection; (b) information on an address on the disc 111B at which recording of a track has started on the small disc 111 generated at the time of verification; and (c) information about part or all of the recorded audio data, or information about what has been converted with respect to part or all of the recorded audio data.

(a) The length of the track on the mini-disc 111 may be expressed in number of bytes or number of sound groups. (b) The address on the disc 111B at which recording of tracks on the mini disc 111 has started at the time of verification is the physical start address on the mini disc.

(c) The information on part or all of the recorded audio data, or the information on what has been converted with respect to part or all of the recorded audio data may be assumed to be the first 100 bytes of data of the audio data that has been verified, or a checksum of the audio data that has been verified.

This information can be used to improve the reliability of determining that the tracks recorded on the mini-disc 111 have been verified.

If at least the information shown in fig. 10 is provided. Then, the main controller 2 can reliably manage which audio data is output to which recording medium of which apparatus at what time by checking. On the small disc itself side, it is possible to determine whether or not the audio data from the hard disc device 3 is copied by the check based on the value of seconds in the recording time of the UTOC sector 2.

In the above case, if the value of the second of the recording time of the UTOC sector 2 is 0 (zero), it can be discriminated that the audio data is data supplied from and copied from the CD module 4, whereas if the value of the second of the recording time of the UTOC sector 2 is not 0 (zero), it can be discriminated that the audio data is data supplied from and copied from the hard disk device 3.

The management (limitation) of the number of copies of the audio data output from the hard disk device 3, i.e., copy control by login and verification, can be realized based on the check table provided on the main controller 2 and based on the recording time of the UTOC sector 2 corresponding to the audio data recorded on the mini disk by the MD module 1.

In the case where the audio data passes the mini disc recorded thereon by the verification, as described earlier, the second value of the recording time of the UTOC sector 2 corresponding to the track on which the audio data is recorded is set to a number other than 0 (zero) at the time of the verification. On the main controller 2 side, as shown in fig. 10, a check table composed of, for example, discrimination information of audio data, recording time, manufacturer code and model code of the MD module 1 is formed on the hard disk of the hard disk device 3.

The logging-in operation can be performed only on a track where audio data has passed through the verification of the verified audio data recorded on the above disc 111B. Therefore, if the track on the disc 111B has been confirmed as verified, the main controller 2 deletes the registration on the track from the UTOC of the disc 111B. The corresponding record associated with the audio data file (3) is also deleted from the check list file (4).

The important point of the present invention is that the means for specifying a certain track on the disc 111B is a track on which the verification audio data has been recorded. That is, the main controller 2 of the present embodiment discriminates whether or not login is possible by acquiring information on a target track of the UTOC of the MD 111, such as a recording time, a manufacturer code, or a model code, and by checking to see whether or not the information on the recording time coincides with time information on the record of the check table file (4).

It should be noted that the main controller 2 can also verify the consistency with the maker code or model code on the check table file (4), but the maker code or model code is originally saved in the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment.

[ operation of Audio recording and/or reproducing System ]

From now on, the operation at the time of ordinary recording, the verification operation, and the login operation performed in the present embodiment of the audio recording and/or reproducing system are explained. The normal recording refers to single-track recording in which audio data from the CD module 4 is recorded on the mini disc 111 loaded in the MD module 1.

[ operation at the time of ordinary recording ]

First, an operation during ordinary recording is explained. Fig. 11 and 12 are flowcharts showing operations performed by the MD module 1 during ordinary recording. In the ordinary recording of the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment, in which audio data is supplied from the CD module 4 to the MD module 1 so as to be recorded on the MD 111 loaded in the MD module 1, the management of the number of copies by the main controller 2 is not performed.

When the audio data recorded on the optical disk loaded in the CD module 4 is suitable for reproduction and the MD module 1 is set to the recording pause state, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 starts the processing shown in fig. 11 and 12. Meanwhile, the audio data from the CD module 4 is supplied to the voice compression encoder/decoder 123 through the digital input terminal 121 and the digital audio I/F122.

The system controller 150 of the MD module 1 controls the voice compression encoder/decoder 123 to start encoding (step S101). The encoded data compressed according to the ATRAC system is then stored in DRAM125 by memory controller 124.

The system controller 150 of the MD module 1 waits for a recording start command, i.e., a recording pause cancel command, from the user (step S102). The recording start command is given by, for example, the keyboard operation unit 152. If it is determined in step S102 that the recording start command has been issued, the system controller 150 reads out the current Time from the timer circuit 153, and stores it as the recording Time in the variable Rec Time (step S103).

The system controller 150 sets the encoder/decoder 126 to the recording mode, enabling audio data to be recorded on the MD 111 (step S104). Then, the system controller 150 checks whether or not there is any empty space in the MD 111 (step S105), and if it is determined that such an empty space exists, then checks whether or not the audio data stored in the DRAM125 has reached a quantity sufficient to satisfy the writing onto the MD 111 (step S106).

The amount sufficient for writing is data of one cluster as a writing unit. If a sufficient amount of audio data has been stored in DRAM125 in the determination process in step S106, the system controller 150 causes the audio data stored in DRAM125 to be recorded on MD 111 (step S107), and then repeats the process from step S105. That is, the sequence of operations of recording audio data such as loading newly supplied audio data into the DRAM125 is repeated.

If a sufficient amount of audio data has not been stored in the DRAM125 in the determination processing of step S106, it is checked whether a user has issued a command to stop recording (step S108). If it is determined in the determination process of step S108 that the stop command has not been issued, the process from step S105 is repeated to repeat the recording operation sequence such as loading the audio data into the DRAM.

If it is verified that the stop command has been issued in the determination process of step S108, then, as shown in fig. 12, the system controller suspends the voice compression encoder/decoder 123 (step S109), and records the audio data stored in the DRAM125 onto the MD 111 (step S110). If the data stored in the DRAM125 has not reached a cluster yet in the process of step S110, the insufficient portion is filled with zeros and then recorded in the MD 111.

The system controller 150 registers information on an area on the MD 111 where audio data has been recorded on the UTOC sector 0 as one track (step S111). Since the process shown in fig. 11 and 12 is a process under normal recording, not a duplicate channel with login and check as described above, the system controller 150 sets the lowest order byte of the variable Rec Time stored in step S103 to 0 (zero) (step S112).

Then, the manufacturer code and the model code stored in the system controller 150 are read out as the recording Time using the value of the Rec Time whose second value has been set to 0 (zero), and registered in the UTOC sector (2) (step S113). The system controller 150 stops the operation of the encoder/decoder 126 (step S114), and completes the ordinary recording process shown in fig. 11 and 12.

If it is determined in the determination process of step S105 shown in fig. 11 that there is no empty space in the MD 111, then, as shown in fig. 12, the system controller 150 stops the speech compression encoder/decoder 123 (step S115), and proceeds to the process from step S111.

That is, the system controller 150 registers the UTOC sector 0 (step S111), sets the second value of the variable Rec Time to 0 (zero) (step S112), and registers the UTOC sector 2 (step S113), after which the system controller suspends, for example, the operation of the encoder/decoder 126 (step S114), completing the ordinary recording process.

In other words, during ordinary recording in which the system controller 2 does not perform the copy number management, the second value of the record storage of the UTOC sector 2 is set to 0 (zero).

[ operation at the time of examination ]

The operation at the time of verification performed in the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment will now be described. Fig. 13A, 13B, fig. 14A, 14B, fig. 15A and 15B are flowcharts showing the verification operation performed in the present embodiment of the audio recording and/or reproducing system.

As described above, the MD module 1 and the main controller 2 must operate in a coordinated manner when performing the verification operation. Therefore, the operation of the MD module 1 and the main controller 2 at the time of verification will be described together below. On the one hand, fig. 13A, 14A and 15A show the operation of the MD module 1 on the side, with

reference numerals

201 and 203 and 301 and 315. On the other hand, fig. 13B, 14B and 15B show the operation on the side of the main controller 2, reference numeral 401 and 421. Meanwhile, during the operation of the MD module 1 and the main controller 2, command exchange is performed through the system to the system communication channel 6.

When the audio data is verified, i.e., when the audio data on the hard disk of the recording hard disk device 3 is copied onto the MD 111 loaded in the MD module 1, the user of the present embodiment of the audio recording and/or reproducing system inputs a verification start command through the keyboard operation unit 223 of the main controller 2.

Upon receiving the verification start command, the main controller 2 verifies whether the commanded audio data can be verified. If verification is possible, the main controller 2 starts the processing shown in FIGS. 13B, 14B, and 15B. Further, the MD module 1 executes the processing shown in fig. 13A, 14A, and 15A in response to a command from the main controller 2.

Meanwhile, it is determined whether or not the audio data can be checked by referring to the number of checks in accordance with whether or not there are a predetermined number of records of the target audio data in the check table file formed in the hard disk of the hard disk device 3, or in the case where the number of checks is controlled with a file different from one audio data to another audio data.

First, if the main controller 2 receives a verification start command input by the user through the keyboard operation unit 223 and has verified that verification of the commanded audio data can be performed, the main controller 2 issues an inquiry about the remaining recording capacity of the mini disc (step S401).

The MD module 1 waits for a remaining capacity inquiry command transmitted from the main controller 2 (step 201). If the MD module 1 has determined that the remaining capacity inquiry command has been issued, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 calculates the remaining capacity of the MD 111 loaded thereon (step S202).

The system controller 150 of the MD module 1 transmits the remaining capacity of the mini disc 111 calculated at step S202 to the main controller 2 through the system-to-system communication channel 6 (step S203), completes the remaining capacity inquiry processing, and proceeds to the processing of copying the audio data from the beginning of the verification. Then, the system controller 150 is in a state of waiting for arrival of a verification start command from the main controller 2 (step S301).

The main controller 2 waits for a response from the MD module 1 regarding the remaining capacity (step S402). If the main controller 2 has verified that a response regarding the remaining capacity has been sent out, the controller 200 of the main controller 2 compares the size of the audio data to be checked with the remaining capacity from the MD module 1 (step S403).

Based on the comparison result at step S403, the controller 200 of the main controller 2 verifies whether or not the check can be made (step S404). If the remaining capacity of the small disc 111 is smaller than the data amount of the audio data to be verified at step S404, the controller 200 considers that verification is not possible and then terminates the verification process.

If the remaining capacity of the small disc 111 is larger than the data amount of the audio data to be verified so that the verification can be performed at step S404, the controller 200 of the main controller 2 transmits a verification start command to the MD module 1 (step S405). Then, the controller is in a state of waiting for reception of a Ready command from the MD module 1 (step S406).

If the MD module 1 has determined at step S301 that the verification start command from the main controller 2 has been received, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 sets the external data interface 131 connected to the main controller 2 through the data transmission channel 5 to the reception mode, enabling the external data interface 131 to receive the audio data from the main controller 2 (step S302).

Subsequently, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 transmits the Ready command to the main controller 2 (step S303), and starts the speech compression encoder/decoder 123, or the encoder/decoder 126 (step S304). Then, the system controller 2 proceeds to the process of fig. 14A, enabling audio data to be recorded on the small disc 111.

If the controller 200 of the main controller 2 has determined in step S406 that the Ready command has been received from the MD module 1, the controller goes to the process of step fig. 14B, controlling the hard disk device 3 to open the audio data file saving the target audio data (step S407).

If there is empty space in the buffer available for transmission, the controller 200 of the main controller 2 performs a file read. Further, if transmission is possible, audio data is transmitted to the MD module 1 through the data transmission channel 5 (step S408). The controller 200 of the main controller 2 detects the end of file (EOF) and checks whether the data transmission is completed (step S409). If the EOF is detected and it is determined that the data transmission has not ended, the process from step S408 is repeated.

If in the process of step S409, EOF is detected and it is determined that the data transmission termination is ended, the controller 200 of the main controller 2 stops reading the file and transmits only the audio data that has been read out. After the transmission of the entire audio data ends, the controller transmits an EOF command to the MD module 1 (step S410). The controller 200 of the main controller 2 closes the audio file on the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 from which the audio data is completely transmitted (step S411).

The MD module 1 in turn receives the audio data from the main controller 2 and decrypts the audio data by the encryption encoder/decoder, storing the data in the DRAM 125. Then, the MD module 1 checks whether the audio data stored in the DRAM125 exceeds one cluster in number (step S305). If it has been detected in the process of step S304 that the audio data stored in the DRAM125 has exceeded one cluster in number, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 records the audio data stored in the DRAM125 onto the small disc 111 as during ordinary recording as described earlier.

After recording audio data of one cluster on the small disc 111 in step S306, and if the data stored in the DRAM125 has not exceeded one cluster in number in the process of step S305, it is checked whether an EOF command from the main controller 2 has been received (step S307).

If it is determined in the process of step S307 that the EOF command has not been received, the process from step S305 is repeated. That is, the processing of steps S305 and S306 is repeated until the EOF command is received.

If it has been determined in the process of step S307 that the EOF command has been received, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 records the audio data stored in the DRAM125 on the mini disc 111 (step S308). Then, the system controller turns off the EFM encoder (step S309).

The system controller 150 of the MD module 1 reads out its own maker code and model code stored in its ROM, transmits these codes to the main controller 2 (step S310), and also transmits a Done command (step S311). Then, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 proceeds to the process of fig. 15A, and waits for reception of an UTOC update request from the main controller 2 (step S312).

On the other hand, the controller 200 of the main controller 2 prepares to receive the manufacturer code and the model code from the MD module 1 (step S412). Upon receiving the manufacturer code and the model code, the controller prepares to receive a Done command from the MD module 1 (step S413).

If the controller 200 of the main controller 2 verifies that the Done command from the MD module 1 has been received in the determination process of step S413, the controller goes to the process of fig. 15B. First, the controller controls the hard disk device 3 to open the check table file provided on the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 as described above.

The controller 200 of the main controller 2 acquires the current Time from the timer circuit 223, and stores it as a Check Time in the variable CO Time, where CO means Check-Out (step S415). In order to set the second value of the acquired time information to a value other than 0 (zero), the number of times of examination of the audio data output by the examination is managed on the master controller 2 side so as to set the number of times to 1, 2, and 3 for the first, second, and third examinations, respectively (step S416).

In order to manage the number of times the audio data is checked, a file for accommodating information for distinguishing the audio data, such as a file name of the audio data and the number of times of checking, may be prepared, and the number of times of checking may be updated or new data may be added each time the checking is performed. In addition, the number of tests may be provided on a test chart.

The controller 200 of the main controller 2 prepares a record of the check table file based on the manufacturer code and model code from the MD module 1, the variable CO Time value, the numerical value of the file name of the target audio data file, or the value of the file name of the set management file of the group to which the target file belongs (step S417). These values are suitable for reception at step S412.

The controller 200 of the main controller 2 adds and writes the record of the check table file prepared at step S417 to the check table file (step S418), and then closes the check table file (step S419).

Since the update of the check table file is terminated, the controller 200 of the main controller 2 transmits the UTOC update command to the MD module 1 (step S420). At the same Time, CO Time information is also sent as a parameter.

If the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 determines in the determination step of step S312 that the UTOC update command from the main controller 2 has been received, the system controller 150 updates the UTOC sector 0 based on the area information about the mini disc 111 in which the audio data supplied by the main controller 2 according to the check and the Time information (cotime) received from the main controller 2 in step S312 have been recorded (step S313), and at the same Time, updates the UTOC sector 2 with its own manufacturer code and model code (step S314).

Since this terminates the update of the MD module 1 side, the controller sends a Done command to the main controller 2 (step S315) to terminate the verification process of the MD module 1 side shown in fig. 13A, 14A, and 15A.

The controller 200 of the main controller 2 is in a state of waiting for reception of the Don command from the MD module 1 (step S421). Upon receiving the Done command, the verification process on the master controller 2 side shown in fig. 13B, 14B, and 15B is terminated. This completes the verification process in the present embodiment of the audio recording and/or reproducing system.

Therefore, at the time of the verification, the recording time recorded in the UTOC sector 2 of the compact disc 111 is required on the host controller 2 side, and this recording time is adjusted so that its second value has a non-0 (zero) value.

As for the second value of the recording time of audio data, audio data reproduced on a small disc by ordinary recording explained using fig. 11 and 12 is different from audio data reproduced on a small disc by verification, so that conventionally recorded data can be distinguished from data recorded by verification.

Since the check table shown in fig. 10 is formed on the side of the main controller 2, this check table can also be used to perform a checking operation on audio data checked to a small disc without any inconvenience.

[ operation at the time of registration (check-in) ]

The login operation carried out in the audio recording and/or reproducing system of the present embodiment is explained from now on. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a login operation implemented in the present embodiment of the audio recording and/or reproducing system.

The login operation must also occur when the MD module 1 and the main controller 2 operate in coordination with each other. Therefore, the operation of the MD module 1 and the operation of the main controller 2 are explained in the same manner below. Fig. 16A shows the processing on the MD module 1 side indicated by reference numerals 501-505.

Fig. 16B shows the processing on the main controller 2 side indicated by reference numerals 601 and 612. Meanwhile, the exchange of commands between the MD module 1 and the master controller 2 is performed over a system-to-system communication channel 6.

For example, if a login start command is input from the MD module 1 keyboard operation unit 152 or from the keyboard operation unit 223 of the main controller 2, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 performs the process shown in fig. 16A, and the controller 200 of the main controller 2 performs the process shown in fig. 16B.

The system controller 150 of the MD module 1 transmits a login start command, and the UTOC sector 2 information of a specific track (audio data) to the host (step S501), and is in a state of waiting for a command from the host controller 2 (step S502). It should be noted that the UTOC sector 2 information is information consisting of a recording time, a manufacturer code, and a model code recorded on the UTOC sector 2 in association with a track (audio data) designated for login.

The controller 200 of the main controller 2 is in a state of waiting for a login start command from the MD module 1 (step S601), and when it determines in step S601 that it has received the login start command from the MD module 1, it controls the hard disk device 3 to open a check table file formed on the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 (step S602).

The controller 200 of the main controller 2 reads the record of the check table file into the controller 200 of the main controller 2 (step S602), and retrieves the record corresponding to the UTOC sector 2 information from the MD module 1 (step S604). The controller 200 of the main controller 2 closes the opened check table file (step S605), and checks whether or not there is a corresponding record (step S606).

The processing in steps S604 and S606 is processing of confirming whether or not the audio data recorded on the small disc designated for login is data verified by the main controller 2, and retrieving a record matching in terms of recording time, manufacturer code, and model number in the verification table file. In steps S603 and S604, if all the records cannot be put in the buffer, the search is performed simultaneously with the readout.

If it is found in step S606 that there is no correlation record, the controller 200 of the main controller 2 transmits an NG (failure) status flag to the MD module 1 (step S607), and then ends the login operation.

If the controller 200 of the main controller 2 has determined in step S606 that there is a relevant record, it sends an OK status flag to the MD module 1 (step S608), entering a state of waiting for an Erased command from the MD module 1 indicating the fact that the relevant audio data is Erased (step S609).

If the MD module 1 has determined in the decision step S502 that a command from the host controller 2 has been received, then the MD module 1 checks whether the command is an OK command, that is, whether it has been identified that the audio data being logged in is the one checked from the host controller 2 (step S503).

If the command is not an OK command in the decision step S503, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 ends the login operation. If the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 has determined at decision step S503 that the OK command has been received, the system controller 150 of the MD module 1 erases the UTOC data associated with the target audio data (step S504), and transmits an Erased command notifying the fact of the erasure to the main controller 2 (step S505). This ends the login operation on the MD module 1 side.

If the main controller 2 determines in decision step S609 that an Erased command has been received from the MD module 1, it controls the hard disk device 3 to open a check table file formed in the hard disk of the hard disk device 3 (step S610), erasing the record on which the writing is performed (step S611).

The processing simultaneous with this step S611 is that the MD module 1 deletes the relevant data of the check table file for the check audio data recorded on the mini disc and having been deleted in step S504. If the number of copies of each audio data is managed by an independent file, the number of times of checking the associated audio data of the file is also updated.

Then, the check table file is closed (step S612), and the login operation of the main controller 2 is ended. The login operation of one track is completed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment of the audio recording and/or reproducing system, the value of seconds (set value) in the recording time can distinguish the case of ordinary recording when the audio data from the CD module 4 is recorded on the mini disc loaded in the MD module 1 by the conventional first route from the case of recording when the audio data from the hard disc device 3 is transmitted to the MD module 1 through the main controller 2 by the new second route so as to be recorded on the mini disc.

This eliminates the trouble of erroneously registering audio data supplied from the CD module 4, and even if a compact disc, which is currently widely used as a recording medium, is used, a copyright protection system can be realized by copy number management of audio data.

Even if audio data copied through a conventional copy route in which copy number control is not performed coexists with audio data copied through a new copy route in which copy number control is performed, it is possible to distinguish these audio data and use them without any trouble.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording time points from the timing circuit 153 of the MD module 1 and from the timing circuit 225 of the main controller 2 are required for ordinary recording and for verification, respectively. However, this is not limitative of the invention.

For example, a recording time point from the timer circuit 225 of the main controller 2 may be required for both ordinary recording and for verification. In this case, during ordinary recording, it is sufficient to supply the recording time point from the main controller 2 to the MD module 1. If in this case no time has been set in the timing circuit of the main controller 2, or if the timing circuit is not operating, the check itself may be stopped to prohibit the audio data from being illegally used.

On the other hand, the recording time can be obtained from the timing circuit of the MD module 1 for both ordinary recording and verification. In this case, the recording time point is transmitted from the MD module 1 to the master controller 2 at the time of verification. If in this case no time has been set in the timing circuit of the MD block 1 or if the timing circuit is not functioning, the checking of itself can be stopped again in order to prohibit the audio data from being used illegally.

If no more checks can be made because the number of times the check is made has reached the permission limit, or if no login can be made, then of course an error message may be displayed, for example on the display unit 511 of the main controller 2, informing the user of the reason why a check or login cannot be made.

[ Another example showing different recording times ]

In the above-described embodiment, the second value of the recording time for ordinary recording and the second value of the recording time for verification are necessarily set to 0 (zero) and non-0 (zero) values in order to distinguish between the track created by ordinary recording and the track created by verification in the MD system 1. However, this is not restrictive.

For example, the number of seconds of the recording time point during ordinary recording and the number of seconds of the recording time point during verification may take an even number and an odd number, respectively. Or, conversely, the number of seconds of the recording time point during ordinary recording and the number of seconds of the recording time point during verification may take only odd and even numbers, respectively. By determining whether the number of seconds of the recording time is even or odd for either the case of ordinary recording or the case of checking, it can be determined from the information of the TUOC sector 2 associated with given audio data whether the audio data is data recorded by ordinary recording or data recorded by checking.

As another method for enabling the case of ordinary recording to be distinguished from the case of verification on the basis of the value of seconds at which the time point is recorded during ordinary recording, modulo arithmetic may be used. For example, for normal recording, the value of the recording time in seconds recorded on the UTOC sector 2 is set to 4n, where n is an integer not less than 1 (the same applies hereinafter). The second value of the recording time during the first inspection, the second value of the recording time during the second inspection, and the second value of the recording time during the third inspection are set to 4n +1, 4n +2, and 4n +3, respectively.

If the modulo operation of (N mod4) is performed on the value N thus set, that is, if the remainder of dividing N by 4 is found, it is possible to know whether the audio data under consideration is the audio data that is ordinarily recorded or the audio data that is recorded by the check, and, if the audio data under consideration is the audio data that is recorded by the check, it is also possible to know how many times the check recording has been performed on the audio data under consideration.

Although it is assumed here that the number of times of checking recording of the same audio data is 3, it is needless to say that the number of seconds of the recording time may be set in accordance with the number of times of checking recording of the same audio data.

It is also possible to distinguish between the case of ordinary recording and the case during verification, not according to the recording time, but according to the model code similarly recorded on the UTOC sector 2. Meanwhile, it is assumed that the same model code as that of the present system is assigned only to a system having similar devices.

As a further improvement, if the compressed audio signal is decrypted, and the copy inhibition flag of the bit d2 of Trackmode of the segment table of the UTOC sector 0 shown in fig. 5 is recorded ON the MD, the copy inhibition flag is set to ON.

If an unencrypted compressed audio signal transmitted from a CD player with an optical digital outlet is recorded on MD, the copy disable flag is turned OFF. If the unencrypted analog audio signal transmitted in analog form from the CD player is converted into a compressed digital audio signal by the MD unit and recorded in this form on the MD, the copy disable flag is also turned OFF.

This allows the small disc unit to discriminate whether the compressed digital audio signal recorded on the small disc is an encrypted compressed digital audio signal managed by the number of copies or an unencrypted compressed digital audio signal not managed by the number of copies, based on the bit d2 of Trackmode of the segment table of TUOC sector 0.

By using the information associated with the UTOC information and each audio data recorded, it is possible to distinguish the copied track (audio data) while maintaining compatibility with the conventional format, and thus, even in the case where a small disc is used as a recording medium, it is possible to realize the operation of verification and login.

In the above-described embodiment of the audio reproducing system, the identification information, the recording time point, the manufacturer code, and the model code of the audio data are kept checked on the controller 200 side. However, this is not restrictive, so that information relating to audio data can also be managed on the side of the main controller 2.

In this way, on the side of the main controller 2, the total number of audio data recorded by the audio recording and/or reproducing system can be simply supervised.

In the above embodiment, audio data compressed according to the ATRAC system is checked or registered between the MD module 1 and the main controller 2. However, this is not limiting either.

For example, if an audio signal from the input 213 of the main controller 2 is transmitted to the MD module 1 through the analog input 134 of the MD module 1, then the verify and log-in operation can be implemented in the same manner as the above-described embodiment.

Further, if uncompressed audio data is sent to the MD module 1 through a digital output terminal or a digital input/output terminal, not shown, of the main controller 2, or if decompressed audio data is supplied to the MD module 1 through the digital audio input terminal 121 of the MD module 1, then the check-and-log operation can be realized in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

That is, the audio data transmitted or received between the MD block 1 and the main controller 2 may be digital audio data or an analog audio signal. If the audio data is digital audio data, it may or may not be compressed. In summary, it is only necessary to distinguish the UTOC information between the route subjected to the copy number management and the route not subjected to the copy number management.

The audio recording and/or reproducing system is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention is applicable to, for example, a system provided with a variable structure of a DVD (digital versatile disc) reproducing unit, a recording and/or reproducing unit, or a monitor receiver for copying target data.

In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that audio data is recorded on a small disc. However, this is not limiting either. That is, the present invention is applicable to various recording media containing management information on a set of recorded data such as a set of recorded data, for example, audio data of a musical composition recorded on a compact disc.

The present invention is applicable to an apparatus or a recording and/or reproducing system that manages so-called variable content data, such as video data, text data, or game programs, for example, which are processed in groups so as to record various data on a recording medium.

Industrial applicability.

As described above, according to the present invention, data (tracks) copied through a predetermined channel can be distinguished while maintaining compatibility with a legacy format. In this way, when a recording medium such as a small disc that is widely used is used, a so-called verify-and-log operation realized by copy number management can be realized.

Claims

1. A copy management method of copying main information onto a recording medium having a main information area in which the main information is recorded and a management area in which management information relating to each item of the main information recorded in the main information area is recorded, wherein,

the main information may be copied to the recording medium through one of a first route for copying the main information without copy number management and a second route for copying the main information with copy number management;

a representation of a part of the management information related to the main information copied to the recording medium through the first route is different from a representation of a part of the management information related to the main information copied to the recording medium through the second route; and wherein the step of (a) is,

storing and saving at least the part of the management information as copy residual information in a case where the main information is copied to the recording medium through the second route,

wherein the management information indicates that a portion to be distinguished is time information related to a time at which the main information is recorded on the recording medium.

2. The copy management method according to claim 1, wherein the management information indicates that the portion to be distinguished is a copy prohibition flag for each item of the main information.

3. The copy management method according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the management information indicating that the distinction is to be made is a device identifier of a device that records the main information on the recording medium.

4. The copy management method according to claim 1, wherein one of an even number and an odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information associated with the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route, and the other of the even number and the odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information associated with the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route, so as to distinguish the representation of the time information.

5. The copy management method according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined fixed value is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information relating to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route, and a fixed value other than the predetermined fixed value is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information relating to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route, so as to distinguish the representation of the time information.

6. The copy management method according to claim 1, wherein the copy residual information includes, in addition to the time information, a device identifier of a device that has made a copy; the device identifier is included in the management information.

7. A copy management system, comprising: a recording device for copying main information onto a recording medium having a main information area in which the main information is recorded and a management area in which management information related to each item of the main information recorded in the main information area is recorded; and a management device for controlling and supervising the copying of the recording device; the recording apparatus includes:

a first route for copying the main information without performing copy number management;

a second route for copying the main information with copy number management; and

management information recording means for recording the management information in the management area of the recording medium, a representation of a part of the management information being capable of distinguishing a case where the main information is copied by the first route from a case where the main information is copied by the second route; and

the management apparatus includes copy residual information storage means for storing and holding at least the part of the management information recorded in the management area in a case where the main information is copied to the recording medium through the second route,

wherein the representation of the time information about the time at which the main information is recorded on the recording medium is different as the part of the management information.

8. The copy management system according to claim 7, wherein the management information indicates that the portion to be distinguished is a copy prohibition flag for each item of the main information.

9. The copy management system according to claim 7, wherein a representation of a device identifier of a recording device used in recording the main information on the recording medium is different as the part of the management information.

10. The copy management system according to claim 7, wherein one of an even number and an odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information associated with the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route, and the other of the even number and the odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information associated with the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route, so as to distinguish the representation of the time information.

11. The copy management system according to claim 7, wherein a predetermined fixed value is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information relating to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route, and a fixed value other than the predetermined fixed value is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information relating to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route, so as to distinguish the representation of the time information.

12. The copy management system according to any one of claims 7, 10 and 11, wherein the management apparatus includes device identifier obtaining means for obtaining a device identifier in the management information of the recording apparatus that has copied the main information, and wherein the copy-residue-information storing means stores and saves the device identifier obtained by the device identifier obtaining means when the device identifier is further contained in the copy residue information.

13. A recording apparatus that copies main information to a recording medium having a main information area and a management area, the main information being recorded in the main information area, and management information associated with each item of the main information recorded in the main information area being recorded in the management area; the recording apparatus includes:

management information recording means for recording the management information in the management area of the recording medium, a representation of a part of the management information being capable of distinguishing a case where the main information is copied by the first route from a case where the main information is copied by the second route,

wherein a part of the management information is time information related to a time at which the main information is recorded on the recording medium.

14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the portion of the management information indicating that distinction is to be made is a copy prohibition flag associated with each item of the main information.

15. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the part of the management information is an apparatus identifier of an apparatus which records the main information on the recording medium.

16. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one of an even number and an odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information associated with the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route, and the other of the even number and the odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information associated with the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route.

17. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said management information recording means assigns a predetermined fixed value to a predetermined bit of said time information relating to said main information recorded on said recording medium through said first route, and assigns a fixed value other than said predetermined fixed value to a predetermined bit of said time information relating to said main information recorded on said recording medium through said second route.

18. A copy management apparatus that controls and manages copying by a recording apparatus that copies main information onto a recording medium having a main information area and a management area, the main information being recorded in the main information area, and management information relating to each item of the main information recorded in the main information area being recorded in the management area; wherein,

the recording apparatus is an apparatus that distinguishes a representation of a part of the management information corresponding to the main information copied to the recording medium through a first route and a representation of a part of the management information corresponding to the main information copied to the recording medium through a second route, wherein the first route is designed to copy the main information without copy number management and the second route is designed to copy the main information with copy number management; and wherein the step of (a) is,

the copy management apparatus includes copy-residual-information storing means for storing and holding at least a part of the management information recorded in the management area as copy residual information in a case where the recording apparatus copies the main information through the second route,

19. The copy management apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the portion of the management information indicating that distinction is to be made is a copy prohibition flag corresponding to each item of the main information.

20. The copy management apparatus of claim 18, wherein the part of the management information is a device identifier of a device for recording the main information on the recording medium.

21. The copy management apparatus of claim 18, wherein one of an even number and an odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information associated with the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route, and the other of the even number and the odd number is assigned to a predetermined bit of the time information associated with the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route.

22. The copy management apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the recording apparatus assigns a predetermined fixed value to a predetermined bit of the time information relating to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the first route, and assigns a fixed value other than the predetermined fixed value to a predetermined bit of the time information relating to the main information recorded on the recording medium through the second route.

23. The copy management apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising device identifier acquisition means for acquiring a device identifier of the recording device, which has copied the primary information, contained in the management information; when the device identifier thus obtained is also contained in the copy residual information, the copy residual information storage means stores and saves the device identifier obtained by the device identifier obtaining means.

24. A copy management apparatus comprising:

first input means for receiving an encrypted first digital signal;

second input means for receiving an unencrypted second digital signal;

decoding means for decrypting the first digital signal transmitted from the first input means;

switching means for selecting either the first digital signal decoded by the decoding means or the second digital signal transmitted from the second input means; and

recording means for recording the digital signal selected by the switching means in a main information recording area on the recording medium, and for recording an identifier for distinguishing whether the digital signal recorded in the main information recording area is the first digital signal or the second digital signal in a management area on the recording medium,

wherein the identifier formed in the management area on the recording medium for distinguishing whether the digital signal recorded in the main information recording area is the first digital signal or the second digital signal can be distinguished by distinguishing a representation of recording time information.

25. The copy management apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the identifier recorded in a management area on the recording medium for distinguishing whether the digital signal recorded in the main information recording area formed in the management area on the recording medium is the first digital signal or the second digital signal is a copy inhibition flag.

26. The copy management apparatus of claim 24, wherein the identifier recorded in a management area on the recording medium for distinguishing whether the digital signal recorded in the main information recording area formed in the management area on the recording medium is the first digital signal or the second digital signal is an apparatus identifier.